It is held annually with an active backing of the Vologda Oblast Government. The venue of the Gates to the North is the Exhibition Centre "Russky Dom".
The exhibition area and various segments, along with the comprehensive programme and supporting events represent the entire product spectrum of the tourist industry of the Vologda Oblast. At the same time, they form the basis for the development of new ideas, approaches and targeted marketing.
The exhibition Gates to the North is an event with a long tradition. This year it will be taking place for the 18th time.
The aim of the Gates of the North is to highlight new itineraries in the Vologda area, to develop tourist infrastructure and to present the full range of technologies and services.
Running April 12th-13th, Gates to the North offers comprehensive business and entertainment programme for the participants and visitors. It includes presentations of tourist resources of the Vologda districts, daily seminars aiming to upgrade professional skills of those involved in tourism industry, round-table discussions, contests intended to boost tourism business in the region.
Alongside with presentations of tourism opportunities, the programme of Gates to the North includes an exhibition for traditional crafts and souvenirs.
The focus of the 18th exhibition will be on Silver Necklace of Russia, a unique tourism product (brand) consisting of chain of routes crossing ancient Russian cities with unique historical and cultural heritage of Northwest Russia. The Silver Necklace of Russia is a tourist project across 11 regions of the Russian Federation.
Eight cities of the Vologda Region are part of the Silver Necklace of Russia project. They are Vologda, Cherepovets, Belozersk, Tot’ma, Veliky Ustyug, Vytegra, Kirillov and Ustyuzhna.
The Silver Necklace offers various types of tourism, including cultural and educational tours and pilgrimages, which are popular among Russian tourists.